05 January 2016

The First Post of 2015...2016

A pale rose blossom from our garden with just a hint of blush, and in her other hand is a handmade ornament from Santa Fe... There are really some pretty blossoms in our garden, because it has really been raining here. We love desert rain! As I type, there is a pitter patter on the roof.

Did you enjoy the holidays? We did. I'm going to miss brined turkey, the lights, and hiding presents. Now, for me, just temporarily, the daily routine seems a little mundane after all the festivities. But my new puppy is snuggles and company, and it is also fun to watch the pets play together. She looks like she is smiling when she creates mischief.

Here we are trying to get work done in the backyard. Madeline and Francis. I had let them run free, because the backyard is completely enclosed as long as the gate is shut. (Francis always does. ) However, she puts everything in her mouth just like a baby, because she is. :) So after numerous removals of seed pods, scraps of wood, and flower bites, I dragged the puppy enclosure to the yard, so she could play, but not get hurt while working. Francis took it in stride.
She also had a puppy hair cut, because it was getting so tangled due to the fineness of the puppy hair.

I don't really put away all the decor until after the sixth; growing up, it was a tradition that my mother honored: the baptism of Jesus, the feast of the magi, or Christmas depending on, which Christian tradition people follow. But I have straightened up a bit, so we did some furniture rearranging.

My spouse removed the desk that was here. Then I moved this chest that was used as a side table to the back of the couch, and placed a container for mail on top after sanding the top. Over the years, this chest has received a lot of use, and some objects damaged the finish in a few spots. Did you know that some plastic toys take the finish off furniture? Doll stands for one... Sort of scary in more ways then one. However, I did not want to paint this piece, because I like the finish. So, I used an inexpensive rectangle block of sandpaper that I purchased from the shop that sells Annie Sloan, then I sanded with the grain.

Now some of the mishaps on the finish are a little more blended and distressed.

Did you know that this is the time of year to purchase linens and baskets? I found a great deal on a down comforter. My first one is from the 90s, and it wore so well. I bought it on the 7th floor ? of Macy's Union Square in S.F. That's a long time ago!

In closing, since late summer, we have been working on a big project! But on a minor scale, it involves the desk that we just moved. And it is exciting that we are nearing completion. So soon a weekly series is coming on a project that is almost complete :)

Welcome to our vintage 1940s cottage fixer: built when homes were a big petite 1000 square feet with sleeping porches for summer cool. I adore romantic, vintage, a ruffle of French, Nordic, and Swedish country with a sprinkle of cottage glam: a relaxed whimsical, elegance. It's our home, and there is painting, music, gardening, creating, living, kitties, french poodles, (and a pug)...imperfect with luster.

Thank you, Kuni. She came from a shop in New Mexico. My spouse brought her back from a trip. :) I call her a santos or muneca. I dress her with something seasonal. I keep planning to put a tulle skirt on her. xoxo Su

Thank you, Diane. Those baskets are wonderful; they store an array of American Girls clothing. My daughter out grew them for now. My niece is just a three years younger and still loves them, so I took her to the AG store after Christmas. I got her a potting table and lawn chair. She didn't want a doll. She is the sweetest girl. She didn't think she could love her as much as the first one. I think the dolls are in another basket somewhere else until someday my daughter pulls them out again. Have a wonderful week. xoxo Su

I just finished yesterday putting everything away! I so wish I could look out my windows and see a Rose growing...4 more months and I will. Everything is clear and just can't get going on winter decor.

I just love it and you make me feel so normal! I am not alone! Your "The First Post of 2015" actually is "The First Post of 2016"!!! It takes me awhile to get used to the change as well!!! Blessings! Nanny

Su I love the rearrange and your beautiful home. Bedding purchases for me in January too. We replaced our down comforter to a new Hungarian goose down, all down, excellent price. I also just found on eBay (believe it or not) a gorgeous white matelassé duvet with matching shams. Our dreams will be warm and cozy in winter of 2016. I have a request - Su can you add pics of your puppy in your posts? She is so adorable. Your sanded table top looks pretty and I absolutely admire the beautiful Santos on top. Looking forward to your weekly series.xoxo,Vera

Thank you, Vera. That new comforter sounds divine. I never thought to look on ebay for linens, but then again the vintage stores are close. I found some beautiful vintage Batenburg shams for my daughter. Four for 20, like new, and she thought they were the most beautiful bed linens she had ever seen. I don't think she had seen them before, except on a tiny pillow cover I have. I fixed up the post to include Madeline. She had a haircut a few days ago, because her fine hair was getting so tangled due to length. xoxo Su

Love your figurine. I have the NW rain here in Oregon. Not been much of one for deserts as too hot. In the cooler climes I can bundle up, but in places with heat they do not like you walking around naked. LOLI love the mountains with lots of trees, animals, ferns, waterfalls, river s and lakes here.

Thank you, Rose. I agree that you would not like it. We have a view of the mountains (not green) right outside our back windows and doors and front porch, but no natural lakes, only washes that become dangerous when it rains. I don't like our summers, but we managed to get away for the last two years. I do miss the ocean sometimes, however there is price to be paid and traffic, if we were ever to return to California. xoxo Su

Beautiful rose blossom, Su! I have so enjoyed the presence of an actual winter here in Phoenix this year. Cooler temps and rain have made me smile each day. I have worn real shoes this year unlike last year when I wore sandals every day. It's been a blessing and so needed. I hope you are enjoying it as well. God is so faithful! May 2016 bring blessings of peace, joy and great health! Cindy xoxo

Your Santos is so pretty. I like the way you can place objects in her hands such as the rose and heart. Your pets are so photogenic and Madeline looks sweet with her new haircut. We also celebrate Epiphany in the Italian way when we do something special for the children, small gifts are exchanged, and we enjoy an Epiphany meal together with our grandchildren.

Hi Su, your sweet little puppy still has a lot to learn, and the joy of teaching is the sweetest. We have been considering a new puppy to keep our Pia entertained with her own kind, and less dependent on our attention, everyone needs a friend :)

Your home from this angle, view is charming I could see one playing the piano while I would just sit on that lush sofa and unwind in its beauty and comfort. The chest now sofa table is a charmer placed right there. I love unexpected pieces used in areas not commonly used in. It adds so much more body and charm then the average sofa table, and also has this English cottage feel. The whole plastic toy thing lifting paint finishes is a scary thought to the proof of how toxic things are that we bring into out homes.As for sanding the finish and its aged spots I feel adds all that right charm to pieces used and loved.Designer Ralph Lauren takes and purposefully adds water rings to furniture pieces in his designs to add that relaxed wear of use and vintage age. I did just that to a side table in my room, I love seeing the sweet water stained damage.

I just bought a wonderful down comforter clearly at the wrong time, I see everywhere linens on sale and clearance now this week. I am off to do some bedding purchasing this weekend.Perhaps another down comforter I spotted that I know I will love for another bed in the home.

Thank you for the beautiful view into another area of your cozy desert cottage.It's been raining for days here, so not the norm here on our southern Calif. desert, but enjoying every inch of it.

See you soon, perhaps the desk will make it into your next post. I posted my reveal a posting back on what I transformed from my desk, to turning it into a side table, the best move I could do for my desk and I love the suface space and flexible use.

Thank you, Dore. I do love English cottages. I think I love most cottages! It has been raining a lot here too, but fortunately, no flooding, so far. I hope the same goes for California, but it so often seems to go from dry to mudslides. I always love looking at RL Home, and I did not know that he added water marks for distressing. I remember your desk to side table transformation; it was and is amazing! I especially love yours, Lin's, and Vera's theatre. I am painting a small found cabinet for twenty-so dollars at a vintage store. I don't know what I will do with it, but the theaters were definitely an inspiration in acquiring it. Thank you for your lovely visit. xoox Su

Thank you, Dewena. It's really interesting. We have roses all year, except not so much in summer. Summer's are too hot, so I cover them. Madeline is a doll, and such a charmer. She definitely has her sweet poodle temperament like Francis, but with a female element that is different than his. She is always trying to get you to do something for her. Both of them are on the bed with me now. xoox Su

Thank you, Dore. I do love English cottages. I think I love most cottages! It has been raining a lot here too, but fortunately, no flooding, so far. I hope the same goes for California, but it so often seems to go from dry to mudslides. I always love looking at RL Home, and I did not know that he added water marks for distressing. I remember your desk to side table transformation; it was and is amazing! I especially love yours, Lin's, and Vera's theatre. I am painting a small found cabinet for twenty-so dollars at a vintage store. I don't know what I will do with it, but the theaters were definitely an inspiration in acquiring it. Thank you for your lovely visit. xoox Su

Such a lovely post and your new little puppy is just precious! I do find myself a little bit lost after the holiday festivities are over, too. Always love taking a peek inside your beautiful home, Su. A happy and blessed New Year to you and your family! xx Karen

My darling Su, I'm always far too glad to spend, even a little of my time, coming and visit you here, to watch the photographs of your house is always such a joy to my heart ... and your puppy is wonderful !Have a blessed 2016,sending dear love to you,Dany

Happy New Year my dear friend,I love your new puppy. And I think it is great how our other pets welcome our new pets. The same happened for us. Our cat Max, welcomed our new rescue kitten Catsby just fine. We now say Max is Catsby's Uncle.

sujohnson

Christmas 2016

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Welcome to our vintage 1940s cottage fixer: built when homes were a big petite 1000 square feet with sleeping porches for summer cool. I adore romantic, vintage, a ruffle of French, Nordic, and Swedish country with a sprinkle of cottage glam: a relaxed whimsical, elegance. It's our home, and there is painting, music, gardening, creating, living, kitties, french poodles, (and a pug)...imperfect with luster.